Tirumala Dhruva Bera is the name given to the idol of Lord
Venkateswara in Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh. Dhruva
Bera is the official terminology used for the main deity of a temple
with the exact translation being The Immobile image and as the name
suggests, the idol is stationary and other idols are used for pujas,
sevas that requires the deity’s presence outside the garbha griham
(sanctum sanctorum). Other terms used for Dhruva Bera include Moolavar
or Moola Virat (Main Deity), Achala (Main).
Tirumala Dhruva Bera is considered to be Swayambhu – self-manifested
and not created by human. According to Sri Venkatachala Mahatyam, Lord
Venkateswara came to reside in this sacred spot to provide blessings to
devotees in the Kali Yuga. The idol does not conform to the agamas
(rules) for making a deity, thus furthering the belief that the temple’s
idol is Swayambhu.
The dhruva bera stands approximately ten feet tall and stands a
platform of about 18 inches. The platform follows a simple lotus design
and the details of the any inscription on the platform is unknown to
anyone except the temple’s archakas (priests). The platform is usually
covered in tulsi leaves except on Thursday afternoon and during Friday
abhishekam.
The face of the idol has exquisite features, with the nose neither
flat nor prominent. The eyes are prominent and has the outline of
‘namam’ though it is not projected out of the idol. The eyes are
partially covered with the namam made of pachakarpuram (raw camphor).
The size, shape and details of the namam are governed by strict rules
laid by the Vaikhanasa agamam. The idol has a self manifested crown up
to the forehead and jatajuta (curly hair) resting on the shoulder. The
chest is estimated to be between 36 to 40 inches in width and the waist
would be between 24 to 27 inches, though there has never been a formal
measurement of these statistics. Since the upper body is bare, features
of the chest are prominently seen with the main feature being the image
of a sitting Sridevi carved on the right side of the chest. The image of
lakshmi is integral to the idol. The idol has 4 arms. The upper arms in
the position to hold his weapons though the Chakram and Conch are not
integral to the idol. The removable Sudarshana chakram is placed on the
upper right arm while the Panchajanya – Vishnu’s conch is placed on the
upper left arm. The lower right arm is in the Varada Hasta pose – palms
facing outward towards the onlooker to signal boon giving nature of the
lord. The lower left arm is in the Katyavalambita pose – palm facing the
lord with the thumb nearly parallel to the waist. The idol is seen with
a dhoti worn waist downwards. Both the knees are slightly bent forward
to indicate that the Lord is willing to come to the devotee’s rescue.
The shoulder of the lord has marks resembling scars made by constant
wearing of bow and pack of arrows though the idol is not in the
Tribhanga pose (unlike Tirumala Rama Idol)Source

Interesting Facts of Tirumala Temple

At the entrance of the main door, to the right side, a stick which
was used by Ananthaalvar to hit Venkateshwara Swamy is present. When
this stick was used to hit the ‘small boy’ Venkateshwara, his chin was
hurt. Since then, the practice and tradition of applying Sandalwood
paste on Swamy’s chin began.

There is real hair on the main idol of Venkateshwara Swamy. They say that this hair never tangles and is silky smooth always.

There is a village, approximately 23 Kms from the temple in
Tirumala. The entry to this village is only for the villagers. The
people are said to be living with strict practices and tradition. It is
from this village, that all the flowers, milk, ghee, butter are sourced
for the God.

Venkateshwara Swamy appears to be standing in the middle of the
garba gudi. Actually, Swamy stands at the right side corner of the garba
gudi. This can be noticed from standing outside.

Every day a new & sacred dhoti (bottom) and saree (top) are used
to decorate Swamy. Blessing newly married Couples who perform a spl
seva are given this.

All the flowers used in the garba gudi are in no condition brought
out. There is a waterfall behind Swamy’s behind. All flowers are thrown
in this water fall.

No matter how many times, the back of Swamy is dried, it remains wet
always. If you carefully keep your ear and listen against Swamy’s back,
sound of an ocean is heard.

Lakshmi Devi is on the heart of Swamy. On Thursdays, during Nija
Roopa Darshanam, Swamy is decorated with white wood paste. When this
decoration is taken out, the imprint on Lakshmi Devi remains. This
imprint is sold by the temple authorities.

When someone dies how one does not see behind and lights the fire,
similarly, the flowers removed from Swamy are thrown at the back of
Swamy. It is said that the pujaris do not look at the back of the Swamy
that entire day. All these flowers can be seen coming out at a place
called Verpedu, 20 kms from Tirupati (on way to Kalahaasti).

The lights (deepa) lighted in front of the Swamy is said to be lit
since thousands of years. And no one exactly knows since when these
lights are lit.

In 1800, the temple was said to be closed for 12 years. One King is
said to have punished 12 people (who committed some crime) by killing
them and hanging them on the walls of the temple.